[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E428-E429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING THE STRAITS EXCHANGE FOUNDATION

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 2011

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Straits Exchange 
Foundation (SEF) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) as it marks its 20th 
anniversary.
  Twenty years ago, the SEF was established as a semi-official 
organization with the mission of negotiating with mainland Chinese 
authorities. Soon thereafter, China established its own Association for 
Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS). These two organizations 
have enabled officials from their respective governments to negotiate 
directly without affirming each other's sovereign status.
  Despite the suspension of negotiations for nearly a decade, SEF-ARATS 
talks resumed in Beijing in June 2008. The subsequent talks held in 
Taipei, Nanjing, Taichung, and Chongqing resulted in several agreements 
designed to promote economic and social relations between the two 
sides. Taiwan and China established direct flights for shipping and 
postal services, built a framework for financial cooperation and 
investment, agreed to increase tourism, and enhanced law enforcement 
coordination.
  I congratulate Taiwan for the achievements of the Straits Exchange 
Foundation. I look forward to the SEF's continued contributions in 
cultivating peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait for many 
years to come.

[[Page E429]]



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